Albatross

I am a relatively new skydiver and am working my way through Skydive U's body flight program. While I am getting much better as a result, my jumps with my newbie friends still as all over the sky? Any sugestions about how to get better?

To be honest I have been wondering what an earthquake would look like from the air. I have hear that the ground ripples like water. SO if you will come take back all this damm rain I will take the once or twice a decade earthquake. Blue skys Albatross

I am going with all of you. This is a place that I come to chat and hook up with people who get what I like to do. I feel like I have a team here and it sucks to see egos and petty bickering get in the way. Our passion can provide us with enough greif to deal with without fighting among ourselves. Blue Skys Albatross

I am starting to go nuts sitting at home, in the lab, on the ground. I think that I pissed off the weatherman by saying that they don't know shit. I have only been able to get in 2 jumps since the begining of February and one was a hop n pop. I thought that was why I lived in Los Angeles: delt with the traffic, the smog, and shallow people. I thought it was all for sun. It has rained here like every weekend for ever. Sorry just needed to vent! Blue skys Albatross

I have seen senseless out at Perris a few times and to say that the stunts that they pull off are incredible is and understatement. Last time I saw them out there Troy made a 2000' bungee jump and then did a hop n pop from there. Later that day he was skysurfing a kayak. All of this was awsome to see but then we saw him land in the kayak like 5' from the camera man on the ground and slide it in. The man is incredible. I would be happy with that accuracy any time. We need people like Troy on TV it helps us all by showing wuffos what kind of cool things are aout there and how fun our passion can be. jump high and safe landings Albatross

Karen, I agree 1000% with froggie. You are not a wet blanket but a great person to get good information from. I would never take your concerns as negative but rather as a good reminder that sometimes we have to curb our desire to help with a bit of common senese. I love the idea of having a basic first aid kit for everyone and a medic bag for trained personel. I have worked as a medical genetisist, EMT, and self defense instructor. Together they have told me that there are few things as dangerous as a little knowledge and good intentions. I know that froggie is way on the east coast but where are you. Blue skys and safe landings Albatross

Karen As froggie said I totally apreciate your concern about unqualified people attempting to do things that they are not qualified to do, however, I was just trying to see if the other EMTs or nurses out there had any items that I had forgotten. I was aked to help make sure that the emergency kit had everything that the licenced peopole at the drop zone needed to help in the first 10-30 min. I was disturbed to find that the kit was disorganized and parts were missing from the bag and gloves were in short supply and no C-collar was available when I came to help. After I found the airways that we could have used and the golves that I would have liked. I think that just familiarization with the equipment on hand will be a great help. I think that froggies thought that she and her crew are regularly at the DZ and train with them is the best idea that is out there.

We were all getting into the plane with Marbuge and I just saw the dark spot on the seat but wasn't fast enough to warn the lady behind me who plopped down in it. A second later she jumps up and screams because her jumpsuit is wet. So the 10 French people on the plane are jabbering in French about what it is. SO finally on of the Frogs wipes a finger in it and tastes it. I almost puked right there. I have never been so glad to get to altitude. Just hold it for a minute! Albatross

froggie You rock!! I have come up with pretty much the same list but the idea of heat stroke slipped my mind (i have only been jumping since Oct and it wasn't a big issue). If you ever make it out to Perris or Southern Cal. I'v got a few jump tickets with your name on them and the first round at the bar (next year that is). Albatross

Congratulations on the ground school!! The jump will be great you already have some freefall time so I am sure you will nail it. My only advice is do the jump 1000 times in your mind and when the time comes just breath and relax. It is kind of like a first date with someone you really like. If you just relax it will be great stress will only make it less fun. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Safe landings Albatross

I love the feeling of jumping out of the back of the Skyvan and having no relative wind for a second. It is the best

After responding to the request for training help at the DZ, I was trying to help us be better perpared for the next time we need to give aid. What do other DZ (not Perris) do for emergency personell on the DZ? What do you keep in you aid kits?

I was wondering how those of you out there who have seen someone BOU*** felt after. I have seen my share of death and blood (an EMT) but this was different. I really felt that if I didin't get back up in the air and make a jump that I might have lost my nerve. Dazed and confused

Speaking as on of the people who was unfortunate enought to have witnessed this accident I wonder how many of us have actually seen this type of acident. I am an EMT and have had many people dye in my arms, but this incident really shook me up for a while. I love the freedom that I feel when I jump but now I am starting to reconsider. Sure these people have the right to make hook turns and there are going to be some accidents. However, we all need to abide by the rules of our sport and maybe this is one area that needs a few more. Perhaps we should consider retroactive training for canopy control. As someone who has only recently gotten his licence and was afraid that I would have to do all of the new tasks under the new ISP, I am now reconsidering. I am wondering if maybe there should be a licence for this type of hook turn just like there is a rating for landing in an extreemely tight area. Perhaps there should be currency requirement for hook turns. Just thinking that as everyone is saying this is usually an error in judgment or being rusty so why don't we safeguard our passion before the FAA does.

I was at Perris this morning and both saw the incident and helped respond to help the man. The injuries were bad. At least one broken leg and facial fractures likely. However, when we got him on the helicopter out he was concious, somewhat responsive and MOVING. The last report that I got was that he had regained conciousness and was alert and responding to his doctors. The outlook was serious but optimistic. All our hopes and prayers go out to him and his friends and family. Safe landings